How long does it take for facelift scars to mostly disappear?

All scars go through three phases of healing with an initial redness phase followed later on by rebuilding and maturation of the scar.  Most scar and wound experts agree it takes about a year for a scar to fully mature.  Facelfit scars are commonly seen as red and can be hypertrophic.  Treatment of scars depends on the type of scars seen and can include the following treatments:

-laser treatments to help both scars and redness of scars 

-injections of kenalog or a combination of kenalog and 5-FU 

-scar revision if poorly positioned scar

The key to great scars after a facelift is to avoid tension on the skin and lift the deeper layer of the face.  Placing too much tension on the skin can make scars wider than ideal.  Meticulous closure technique can also aid in scar appearance.

Plastic surgery scars require attention after surgery so that they remain cosmetically-appealing and barely noticeable. In our office, we use a protocol for scars that minimizes their activity in the 6-8 weeks after surgery. If you have late plastic surgery scars, you may also require laser and RF therapy to help reduce the longterm effects of the scarring. Keloids, hypertrophic scars, widened scars, red scars, and hyperpigmented scars all require scar modulation with topical creams followed by lasers and RF therapy. Topical skincare should be directed to a specific need, whether for pigmentation or hypertrophy and our office can guide you through the process to obtain the correct Plato’s Scar cream or Melarase cream for hypertrophy and discoloration. In terms of lasers, we would employ the vbeam laser for redness, Venus Viva RF, PRP microneedling, chemical peels, and Morpheus 8, fractional erbium, or fractional co2. All of these have their individual benefits. Most of all, we recommend you visit a solid plastic surgeon who understands surgical scar revision, laser therapy, and RF therapy for scars.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon
Plastic surgery scars require attention after surgery so that they remain cosmetically-appealing and barely noticeable. In our office, we use a protocol for scars that minimizes their activity in the 6-8 weeks after surgery. If you have late plastic surgery scars, you may also require laser and RF therapy to help reduce the longterm effects of the scarring. Keloids, hypertrophic scars, widened scars, red scars, and hyperpigmented scars all require scar modulation with topical creams followed by lasers and RF therapy. Topical skincare should be directed to a specific need, whether for pigmentation or hypertrophy and our office can guide you through the process to obtain the correct Plato’s Scar cream or Melarase cream for hypertrophy and discoloration. In terms of lasers, we would employ the vbeam laser for redness, Venus Viva RF, PRP microneedling, chemical peels, and Morpheus 8, fractional erbium, or fractional co2. All of these have their individual benefits. Most of all, we recommend you visit a solid plastic surgeon who understands surgical scar revision, laser therapy, and RF therapy for scars.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

If properly executed, the scars after a facelift will become imperceptible by week 6. If there was tension left on the skin, then it may take much longer.

Thanks for the question. In the scalp area 2 cm incisions are made symmetrically on both sides, mid-face tissues are freed. Reaching the cheek oil and moved up and out as young ages. The mid-face area rejuvenates, the gutters on the rim disappear. I wish you all the best.

Thank you for your question.  An experienced surgeon will strategically place the incisions for your facelift in areas that will be the least evident.  Facelift incision behind hidden in the creases of the ear an covered by hair.  The scarring can take 3-6 months to full mature.  All The Best

In most cases, facelift scars are not an issue. The incisions are hidden in such a way that they are not easily detectable and blend into the hairline and natural skin creases. In the process of normal wound healing, incisions are usually slightly raised, irregular, and pink or red in color. Over time, the color fades and the incisions flatten out more and more. The timeline for this process varies from one patient to another, but as long as patients take good care of their incisions and avoid excess sun exposure during the healing phase, most incisions are barely detectable by around 3 months after surgery. These incisions will continue to improve as time progresses.
All the best,